*** Official Clevo P870DM/Sager NP9870-G Owner's Lounge - Phoenix has arisen! ***

Some, but not all.

Note, I can't say much more than that. I'm not a gamer, but a software developer. My interest in the P870DM is for running virtual machines, databases, and compilers.

 

Hope so, from the looks of it seems to be the same firmware version, i did shoot an email to AUO last night asking if it possible to fix some of the clipping issues you discovered. If it is a hardware limitation, maybe at least if it is possible to slightly taper things off in the firmware to make this less aggravating.
I am not expecting a reply from them, but lets see.
Now im just waiting for my cable to get delivered next week.

 

I ordered from HID on Tuesday and my laptop arrives tomorrow, cred to those boys for hooking me up so quickly. I've read 101 guides, downloaded every possible file I expect to need, purchased some extra booze so I can attain the appropriate level of hungover with one needs to have in order to set up a new laptop. I think I'm ready. Getting excited. Really excited.

 

Yes, it is the same, do they have an email??? can you pass it? I just got a few days license of CalmanRGB which is probably the best out there, so not I have something I do trust. Doing some measuring now. The clipping issues there is no need for instruments, I'm putting a report together for Eurocom to send to AUO, so if you have a chance to see if you can see those clipping issues, let me know and I will include in such report... still the more people tell them about it the better.

Eurocom is patiently waiting for my report, which will be done pretty soon, just wanted to use Calman to be sure of my findings.

 

Sent the email to this addresses :

[email protected]

And filled this out as well :
http://auo.com/?sn=217&lang=en-US

Hoping they forward it to the right department, couldn't find any other "technical contact info"

 

Eurocom says they are waiting for my report and aware of the thing. Not the problem, me reporting it

 

Getting my baby back on Tuesday. Bum GPU relaced and it's running like a beast. Have to give kudos to Josh at Mythologic for all his help and dedication to getting me the best working possible machine!!

 

Alright,

I don't know if I should be posting in this forum, as I don't yet own a Clevo laptop, but I figure I'll give it a shot...

I have a quick inquiry regarding my choices in GPUs. I've already decided on the CPU, RAM, and SSD/HDD combination. I am currently in a bit of a conundrum with regards to the SLI option for the 980m, or the single GTX 980. I've looked up the specifications for each card and found that they aren't too far off from one another. I've heard reports around the internet that SLI is on the low these days in terms of developer support, however I've had great success with my current Lenovo that has 650m cards in SLI. Is SLI really not a good idea anymore? Can anyone provide a good performance report between the 980m SLI configuration and the GTX 980 configuration?

My other question is with regards to the heat and power consumption. I've been reading that the SLI configuration requires a second power block, and can lead to cooling issues. Most of what I have read with regards to cooling issues has been with regards to the CPU needing to be under volted and overclocked to get the proper temperature/performance ratio, though a few SLI posts have eluded to the possibility of GPU temperature issues. Are these concerns worth steering clear of the SLI configuration?

Once I get this choice ironed out I'll be ordering my Clevo in a few weeks.

Oh, on the topic of ordering, I'm thinking about going with HIDevolution. Any objections to this? I've heard fairly good things about them.

Thanks for any future advice!

 

I am ordering with HIDevolution too at the moment. I will make sure to post an in depth review of both their services and the final product, when the product arrives.

About SLI, if what you use worked with SLI, it will still work, but some new programs and games might not work as intended.

Power consumption would be satisfied with one power brick. But SLI will get hotter than single 980 and consume a bit more. A SLI 980m will be faster by a bit for what what supports it.

 

I went with two 970s, only requires one brick and performs in about the same ballpark as the 980 while costing 250 less. All the games I play work in SLI and I plan on moving to Pascal anyway so going bigger now seems like a waste to me. When you think about it the 970s have enough headroom it's possible they might make it to the second iteration of Pascal and still be running everything without a hiccup.

 

http://gpuz.techpowerup.com/16/03/26/t7f.png

Do I have the Prema VBIOS. this doesnt look like it.

 

is yours the EVOC P870DM from HIDevolution with the Prema BIOS/VBIOS?

What are your system specs, please update your signature and share your joy with others

 

Let me save you the trouble, I had the Clevo P870DM-G with 980M SLI, I hated it, the laptop throttles more at stock settings due to the extra power needed from both graphics cards, secondly, I could notice microstuttering in games and even in video playback if I am watching a movie. thirdly, SLI support has been bad recently and it seems that game developers are not interested in supporting SLI well.

Finally, now I got a Eurocom Sky X9 with a single 980 (Desktop version) and I am much happier, no micro stuttering, games play perfectly at max settings, and I noticed a new feature called DSR where it puts the game at a higher resolution than your native screen's resolution then downscales it, so you get the benefit of the sharper image of a high resolution but on your same native resolution. I didn't notice that feature was available in the 980M

In benchmarks, the 980M SLI get a slightly higher score, but in real world usage, the 980 Desktop serves you better. No hassle!

Just my 2 cents worth. If you think SLI is better for you then go for it. I will never go for an SLI system anymore after enjoying the hassle free single powerful GPU experience with no micro stuttering/no SLI profile headaches.

Also, regarding HIDevolution, many people have been ordering from them and getting their systems really fast. They now include the Orema BIOS/VBIOS for free and have more configuration choices with regards to RAM, you are no longer restricted to the default 2133 MHz RAM but can opt for speeds from G.Skill RAM of 2666 MHz. or even 2800 MHz which works great! Tell them you are an NBR forum member they might give you a small discount as well.

HIDevolution - The Best Company I ever dealt with

HIDevolution - Words cannot express my gratitude

HIDevolution's Warranty!

Amazing Experience dealing with HIDEvolution

 

Nonsense! Potential owners are also welcome here!

I've never liked SLI honestly due to the fact that support for it isn't "out of the box" in a sense. Some games still don't run SLI, while the single 980 will run everything no matter what. No guessing if SLI works or anything.

In benchmarks, as @Phoenix said, the SLI 980m will score higher, but in real gaming, with different games, you'll probably notice that the gtx 980 won't have the micro problems that SLI might create.

I currently have a X7200 with a x5650 and dual 560m cards in SLI, and while it scores higher than a single 560m, the performance in games compared to a single 560m isn't too much different, though the benchmark says it should be about double when it in turn is maybe 30% higher in games.

You say you've already have SLI in your Lenovo, so I mean it's all personal preference. Just like cars, people will say "Twin turbo" when in reality a single larger turbo is a better setup to have, but just the factor of being able to say "twin turbo" sounds better, all preference that in real world scenarios no one will notice a difference.

As for company, @Larry@LPC-Digital has been nothing but helpful in determining my problems with this laptop I'm having. They aren't major issues that most people will notice, but it's enough for me to notice. He gave me his personal # to figure out these problems and get them forwarded to the parent company of Sager

 

Anyone who would speak out against asking questions BEFORE buying would need their head examined

At the moment for current gaming I lean towards the single desktop 980 for maximum power no matter the game, however if you are after specific titles that scale well in SLI then dual 980M has the potential to out perform it by a fair margin.

 

It is, went with the K, G.Skill for 16 at 2666, two 850 Evos RAID 0 for a terabyte, 970s in SLI, thermal paste, dead pixel on the 1920X1080, no operating system installing 10 now, has the BIOS but not the VBIOS as the 970 couldn't be installed with time to validate. Not sure if they meant my system or the VBIOS for the 970s entire had yet to be validated. They have given me the option of sending back on their dime or installing myself later. I'm scarcely going to have to to get windows installed and the lappy up before I go back up North so this isn't an issue for me. There won't be any messing about until I get back. I did go through the BIOS and fiddled a few things but for now its get up and running and leave the zoot for later.

About HID, I've got nothing but good to say. They kicked out a custom in 4 days while keeping in contact with me the whole way. The unsolicited offer of free shipping round trip for the VBIOS was very nice as they could have just as easily said we did what we could in the time you gave us, here it is, install it yourself. That is what I will do anyways as they also offered that option but throwing down the shipping was much appreciated regardless.

If I get time I'll try and post up my impressions of HID and a synopsis of the buying process but I'm not sure I will so for now I do want to at least throw them an attaboy for a job well done.

 

Has anyone found a fix for the lag for G-Sync when hitting alt+tab out of a game?

Also...

I've found the audio quality to be pretty horrible when playing FFXIV. Does anyone have a setting for SB X-Fi MB5 for MMOs that doesn't sound so distant & make immersion impossible?

 

Received my EVOC P870DM from HIDevolution yesterday and built it last night. I ordered just a barebones with a GTX 980 installed. I already had a CPU and SSD's from a planned itx build. Only finished loading windows and all the drivers a couple hours ago and like the notebook a lot so far.

HIDevolution EVOC P870DM-G
1920x1080 G-Sync
Intel 6700K
Kingston HyperX Impact 32gb 2400mhz
Samsung 950 Pro 256gb
Samsung 850 Evo 1TB
Nvidia GTX 980 8gb
IC Diamond CPU + GPU





Extremely happy with HIDevolution and Ted K, he communicated quickly, even what must have been outside of works hours. I started the process at 5pm one afternoon and he was answering questions and sending a quote up till midnight that night.

I ordered the day before they announced the EVOC branding was announced, yet they still shipped me a EVOC, and I hope they keep with the brand on their other notebooks and there partnership with Prema. I'm a big fan of no badging and this laptop has none, once I get rid of the stickers it will be perfect. I have also attached an image of the boot screen, they have a very tasteful boot logo. I have also attached an image of the bios, where it normally says Prema Mod, it shows HIDevolution and in the bottom it shows official Prema Mod Partner.





I have a couple of questions.

1. Do I have the Prema Vbios, other then a bios number I see no reference to being a Prema Mod Vbios, just wanted to make sure that it came pre-loaded?



2. The bios does not show the 950 Pro, when I load windows it saw the drive and allowed me to install to it and it operates just fine, there is just no reference to it in the bios, is this normal?

 

Yes, you have everything Prema...

 

Get an external DAC or Xonar U7 . PERIOD.
I switched from my desktop Essence STX. Couldn't handle the onboard audio , ordered a DAC. My taste is different though, since all i play is CS and DOTA.

Also the G-Sync lag isnt that much playing non demanding titles. I have this during The Division only. Are you having it in every game?

 

Is the 84.04.88.00.C1 newer than the 84.04.88.00.1E? or the other way around? OR are they the same?

 

Those numbers are to identify their origin/branding...one isn't newer than the other.

 

oooooooooo....

 

I'm having it with FFXIV. In the past I've had similar issues with other setups, including the Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Digital headset's in-line soundcard. Seems to be a recurring issue with MMOs. To get an external sound card though means I'll have to buy external speakers as well. This laptop is getting less and less portable. I was kinda hoping for an EQ preset that would be acceptable, rather then adding more external hardware.

Like.... the music and all sounds great, footsteps too, but my character's voice, attacks and the enemy's vocal responses sound horrible (FFXIV).

 

Well you can try disabling the extra SBX stuff. That pretty much neutrals it out as much as possible.
SBX/SCOUT/EAX etc.
They come in handy with the speakers though, makes them insanely loud.

 

The only "fix" right now is to disable g-sync. I've been in contact with Larry, who is in contact with Sager.

It may come down to me sending my laptop in so they can have a first hand look at this problem since it's the first they've heard of it. Seems no one else here notices or isn't willing to test running windowed/borderless and attempting to alt tab.

 

Well I can confirm this problem exists obviously. I play every game borderless @ 1080p.

 

Since you guys are playing borderless, wont disabling gsync just fix it? Because i dont think G-Sync is utilized in fullscreen Borderless mode unless its activated in the settings.

Also i just tried this, the games i play FullScreen Windowed and alt-tab out a lot out of, i just went to the game settings and setup the specific games to use fixed refresh rate instead of games. I did this for all games i get 100fps+ in. (G-Sync doesn't really make sense beyond that fps for me)

 

The point is that I don't want to disable G-Sync. I like the visual improvements it offers (I like what I'm seeing). This is my first experience with G-Sync and I like it. I have it activated in nvidia control panel to be utilized in fullscreen borderless.

Even if it takes a while to fix the lag when alt+tabbing, or if for some reason it never gets fixed (I hope they don't stop trying to fix it ), I'm still ok and happy I have G-Sync.

I'm actually more concerned with the poor audio quality. I mean c'mon... Spent nearly $4,500 USD and my wife's $1,000 Lenovo Y700 sounds better.

If I have to get an external unit...
What is better for gaming, an external sound card, or a DAC?
Which Card/DAC is the best, as far as audio quality, for some 2.1 speakers (Xonar U7? Creative x7 DAC?)?

 

Thanks for the adice Pheonix, Danyune, and Georgel!

I think I'll go with the safer option of the single GTX 980.

Does anyone know how to inform HIDevolution upon order that I want Windows installed to the SSD? I'd like to go with the 512 GB SSD option, with two 1TB 7200rpm HDDs. The only option I am given is to install Windows to one of the HDD slots, which can be customized to be SSDs, but I'd like to use those slots for my HDDs.

 

The easiest thing to do is email sales. They will setup a custom quote for you.

 

I have to say something here because I sort of feel like sli is being badged incorrectly.

980m sli does not make performance worse, it only makes it better when compared to a single 980m. When compared to a 980 desktop it won't perform as well as a single 980m, well because it's a more powerful card with more cores of course.

As for game play, I play several titles and with all of them only 1 I can think of doesn't support sli. As for game play with sli when compared to my 980ti single the sli 980m is smother on all sli supported games which is all but one.

Sorry guys but I can find micro studdering in a single card before a sli set in most sli supported games so in short do your research and find out what is supported in what you play.

Buying a single 980 desktop is a great acomplishment but don't tell me a 980 will be smoother than 2x980m in sli. I have been testing over and over and just don't see it at any resolution. Both testing platforms are using unlocked vbios and running 6700k at 4.4ghz and both on the same external monitor with and without gsync. 1080p/1440p in 21x9 format.

Sent from my LG-H901 using Tapatalk

 

After you place the

order just email them with your notes

 

rejoice! finally a SSD possibly worth getting, http://techreport.com/news/29899/samsung-updates-its-m-2-ssds-for-oems-with-its-polaris-controller

 

I personally prefer the Xonar cards over the Creative, when i tried the Creative X7 i felt that the sound had too much "fluff". But some people like this. So you might want to check the reviews around.

 

Congratulations on that awesome machine.

I agree... if you get a good pair of 980M cards, which seems to be somewhat elusive lately for some reason, nothing currently offered is better than 980M SLI. Problems with SLI have been extremely rare for me... few and far between. In the unusual event that a game was botched up or the developer elected to use a crappy engine without SLI support, you simply disable SLI and have the same experience as other single GPU users. The rest of the time they eat your dust. There is nothing to lose (except the money for the better configuration) and everything to gain by having a multi-GPU system.

That said, there is nothing not to love about the 200W GTX 980. It is truly amazing, extremely stable, very powerful and overclocks like there is no tomorrow. Expecting it to match 980M SLI performance is an unrealistic expectation, but it does come close... much closer than any other GPU available in a laptop.

 

Guys I have important question, since I'm having troubles with my GPU.

Stock vBIOS Voltage: 1,037V
Prema vBIOS Voltage: 1,062V

Stock vBIOS GPU Temperature:
Automatic Fan Profile: MAX 82*c
Overclock Fan Profile: MAX 69*c (very good temp)

Prema vBIOS GPU Temperature:
Automatic Fan Profile: MAX 84*c
Overclock Fan Profile: MAX 73*c
Overclock Fan Profile + small OC without +mV: 78*c up to max 80*c
+ Automatic Fan Profile serves Black Screen before reach 82+ temps.
Overclock Fan profile + small OC with +12,5mV up to 82*c

Seems ok, but I've had one (yesterday) Black Screen on Prema vBIOS in Armored Warfare. Without OC, without increased Voltage. Tried to force somehow Black Screen on stock clocks so I could have prove that something is wrong with GPU.

Any OC on Prema vBIOS (even without +mV) gives me black screen after couple of minutes. Even +135/+0 serves me black screen even if GPU Core stays 84*c (Auto). And with Overclocked Fan Profile too... but much later (14-25m).
With OC +150MHz/+0Mhz (or +150/+400, +0mV)) GPU Core Temp rises to 79*c on automatic fan profile. 85*c on Automatic. Isn't that way too high for such clocks/voltage?

Temperatures tested ambient temp 21*c... And I've pulled this black plastic at bottom cover.

Arent temperatures (Automatic Profile and OC + OC Fan Profile) too high for a 980M? +150MHz on Core and no +mV with 80*c+ with OC Fan profile isn't way too much? And of course black screen no matter what OC I do.
If GPU isn't stable at such clocks/voltage... Soon might be even unstable on stock vBIOS.

At the moment I've reflashed to stock vBIOS.
So I must know few things to be sure, if my temps are ok and if GPU is fine but "low quality" or might be possibly damaged.

Edit: corrected values

 

Hi all,
I finally pulled the trigger on a barebones from RJ Tech with the single 980. My M18x died a while back and wasn't too interested on dealing with sli again. Doing it this way save me a few buck as I can pick up a new i7 at employee pricing and price around for the parts I wanted to use. Any suggestions and or helpful hints on the build? Is the Prema bios worth installing?
Thx, Dave

 

I know we have discussed this and you know I feel since you have a 980m in the primary slot that those temps are above average. The black screen leads me to an issue with the card but I would want to test both the card and heatsink exchange.


Sent from my LG-H901 using Tapatalk

 

I've got the new lappy up and running without issue. More kudos to HID, I ordered RAID 0 and despite not purchasing with an operating system they went into the BIOS and changed the settings for the drives, boot, etc. I noted that they used 16k on the RAID, had what I consider the correct settings for boot and so on. Haven't enough time to get to tuning things up but I did install 3 games, ROTTR, Fallout 4, and Xcom 2. I'm running 970s and had little drama. I had to do a quick hunt to get SLI enabled on Tomb Raider but the others worked out the gate. All run completely smooth with everything maxed. I ran the benchmark in Tomb and it returned 58. some odd g-sync enabled. When I enabled dx12 in that game the frame rate became quite choppy. Possibly running on one card there, I didn't look into it last night. As to the comments regarding SLI, I've not had too much problem with it. Sometimes you have to make a quick search to get it going but it usually has worked fine for me. I like that I was able to get the performance of the desktop card for 250 less with Pascal being this close. I probably would have made a different choice on the video however if it was further out. Anyhow... back to new lappy setup.

 

The screen going black at stock or with a minor overclock is a classic symptom of defective GTX 980M. It should take an extreme overclock/overvolt before the screen goes black, and a really good GPU will typically crash the driver and reset (TDR) without the screen going black. Your GPU is in the process of failing. I had one in my Panther and one in the Sky X9 that had the same issue and this problem will only get worse over time. No point in doing more testing. You're just prolonging the inevitable. Quality control on NVIDIA GPUs, especially the GTX 980M has gotten to the point of being pretty horrible. This is happening frequently enough that it makes good sense to put SLI benchmark scores on the back burner for now and go with the 200W GTX 980.

@ssj92 and about a half dozen other 980M owners I have seen recently (not just Clevo, but Alienware also) have had the same problem and it will eventually get to the point that it won't even boot any more. Keep the stock vBIOS on it while it is still somewhat usable and get it replaced. You need to have the stock vBIOS on the GPU before you contact the place where you bought it or they may just blow you off, blame the @Prema vBIOS mods (which is totally wrong) and leave you holding the bag. Part of the reason for that could be the place that manufactures them may dump the vBIOS to see what it has and refuse to give them credit for the defective GPU if it has a modded vBIOS on it. Not sure how that works on their end.

To make matters even worse, NVIDIA--in typical NVIDIA style--has washed their hands and shirking any level accountability for the problems by taking a position they do not support overclocking on mobile GPUs. But... Consider yourself extremely blessed that the screen goes black with stock vBIOS and no OC because you have a inescapable basis for getting it replaced with (hopefully) a better GPU. If you have to be inconvenienced by defective parts, you could not find yourself in a more favorable position in terms of leverage. If it only went black with an OC and/or modded vBIOS they could blow you off and say " your GPU works as intended" because " we don't support GPU overclocking" and you'd be screwed.

 

I will add on to what Fox and what @GTVEVO said... I had desktop 980 in my laptop before switching to SLI and can absolutely confirm SLI is better in almost every instance. I was very very worried about taking the SLI dive and to make matters even worse one of my 980m's was a bad card so I have to get it swapped out. I had horrible temps before and knew something wasn't right. Happy to say that after the GPU swap it is night and day.

Having 2 SOLID 980m's is super super important and while the rate that people are getting bad ones is unacceptable, when you have 2 working ones it's incredible. Here are some results from Farcry 4 which used to get me to thermal throttle point. Now with a new 980m.. alongside my one original good one, I have a decent solid OC with good temps and no crashing. Butter performance as well with frames I could never achieve with a single 980 and max settings.

 

Nice!
What is you ambient temp like?

 

I pretty much always keep my room around 19-20c. I personally am most comfortable at that temperature. Thanks! I know for benchmark purposes I could OC way higher but I need good gaming clocks and you just have a different ball game when Ocing for gaming vs benching.Long term stability for hours upon hours and certain games heat up the cards more than others.

 

True!

I myself have kept my system at a 4.5Ghz clock, which is running great. My 980 however reaches Low 80's when playing Division. My rooms stays around 21-25C.

 

Hmm I will give division a try this week and see what my sli temps look like. Although we have different setups it will be a good comparison. I understand ambient temps are important but unless they are absurd they should never be the difference between overheating or not.

Although low 80s is fine... Is that with an OC or stock?

 

RJTech sold me a barebones p770zm-g as well, great company, shipped it fast!

However, you should known that prema bios is not a public bios, so though it's worth installing, you won't be able to

 

Thats with +133/+125 on the Boost/Mem clocks. No extra botox provided to keep the butt firm.

 

So You suggest me to stay on stock vBIOS and wait til GPU dies?
That's bad... next month im returning to UK and it would be >huge< problem to send notebook for a month for warranty...

But I think that reseller won't replace my GPU because it seems ok on stock vBIOS... I don't know how to prove them that GPU is slowly dying. I have about 24 days to prove it (somehow) and get replacement... If GPU will die in UK (I'm using PC for work, rendering) I will be pretty screwed and probably (worst scenario) temporarily jobless for at least month (sending GPU or whole laptop to Poland or Germany... and praying for courier not to damage laptop, yes I don't trust them since they twice damaged my laptops).

 

That is why you get black screens. That MOSFET wasn't cooled at all.
If it is properly cooled now after actually placing a thermal-pad on it and still blacking out the system then it may have already taken a beating...